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Since the Grand Prix of Italy in Monza, the Sauber Formula 1 team has shown a significant improvement, scoring 38 points in the last four races. The Swiss team currently lies in seventh place in the constructors' championship.
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn explained why the early part of the 2013 season has been quite difficult for Sauber.
“After the concept of the side exhaust system was very successful last year, our engineers decided to go with a different concept for the C32, that in theory had even more potential,” she said.
“In practice, however, it looked different. We realised that in Melbourne where we brought an update to the car that didn't work as we expected it to. It then took some time for our engineers to understand why the aero balance of the car was not stable, especially during braking and turning in.”
The team tackled the problem and bought significant updates in Hungary.
“We implemented a modified exhaust concept in Budapest. We already saw a significant improvement back then, but, of course, it took some time until we were able to get the most out of that. In addition, our understanding of the car improved, which translated to a better set-up,” she added.
The introduction of the updated Pirelli tires in Hungary also seemed to give the Saubers a big step forward.
“It's not easy to pinpoint that as we brought our largest update at the exact same time. However, I believe in general the tires helped, which was the opposite last year,” Kaltenborn declared.
The graduate of the London School of Economics added that the team never considered stopping the development of the C32 to focus solely on the design of the new, 2014 turbo car.
“Giving up was never an option, because we wanted to make progress with the current car, in order to improve in the constructors' championship. In addition the insight we are getting now will help with the development of the new car,” she said.
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn explained why the early part of the 2013 season has been quite difficult for Sauber.
“After the concept of the side exhaust system was very successful last year, our engineers decided to go with a different concept for the C32, that in theory had even more potential,” she said.
“In practice, however, it looked different. We realised that in Melbourne where we brought an update to the car that didn't work as we expected it to. It then took some time for our engineers to understand why the aero balance of the car was not stable, especially during braking and turning in.”
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| Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber C32-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2) |
The team tackled the problem and bought significant updates in Hungary.
“We implemented a modified exhaust concept in Budapest. We already saw a significant improvement back then, but, of course, it took some time until we were able to get the most out of that. In addition, our understanding of the car improved, which translated to a better set-up,” she added.
The introduction of the updated Pirelli tires in Hungary also seemed to give the Saubers a big step forward.
“It's not easy to pinpoint that as we brought our largest update at the exact same time. However, I believe in general the tires helped, which was the opposite last year,” Kaltenborn declared.
The graduate of the London School of Economics added that the team never considered stopping the development of the C32 to focus solely on the design of the new, 2014 turbo car.
“Giving up was never an option, because we wanted to make progress with the current car, in order to improve in the constructors' championship. In addition the insight we are getting now will help with the development of the new car,” she said.